Photo Diary: A Day in the Life of Tony-Nominated Broadway Leading Lady Jessie Mueller

Every now and again you see a musical that leaves you feeling renewed in your life's mission, whether it's snagging a promotion or being more forceful at the next sample sale you hit. Beautiful the Musical, about the life and times of the legendary Carole King, was that latest it-changes-everything show for me.

Naturally, the Tonys copied my emotions and put Beautiful up for a ton of awards—including one for star Jessie Mueller, who's a best-actress nominee. This is Mueller's second time up for a statue—in 2011, she got a featured-actress nod for her Broadway debut role in On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever opposite Harry Connick Jr. But she still gets the jitters like anybody else: "There are nerves about possible speeches," Mueller says. "But I'm most nervous about just making it to Sunday! I'm looking forward to actually being there with my boyfriend and family." In the meantime, she put together a pretty inside look at her typical day as a leading lady.

It all starts here at home—with coffee. I use a Keurig and refillable K-Cup...right now I'm alternating between Kronung, a German brand, gifted by my boyfriend's parents, and Cafe Du Monde—gifted by fellow actress Stephanie J. Block.

My NYC essential: a very large bag. Today I'm stashing my Charles David heels, and I always have a toothbrush and toothpaste, Eos lip balm, a hairbrush, headphones, and makeup. I've mastered the subway beauty routine.

We arrive! I feel like such a lady—so many luncheons, it's been a busy month. This is me with my costar Jarrod Spector (nominated for a Tony for Featured Actor in a Musical for Beautiful) and screenwriter-director Douglas McGrath (nominated for best Book of a Musical—he wrote Beautiful).

And...curtain down! Lots of friends have been coming to the show lately, so I'll usually greet guests in my dressing room and then go out for a drink nearby. But I am also relishing sleep these days. So most nights, it's couch time—and catching up on How I Met Your Mother to wind down.